How to Win a Argument




How Win Friends & Influence People
From Dale Carnegie's


"Nine times of out of ten, an argument ends with each of the contestants more firmly convinced than ever that s/he is absolutely right. You can't win an argument. You can't because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. Why? Well, suppose you triumph over the other person and shoot their argument full of holes and prove that s/he is non compos mentis. Then what? You will feel fine. But what about the other person? You have made that person feel inferior. You have hurt their pride. S/he will resent your triumph. And--



A person convinced against their will
Is of the same opinion still"

From How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

I have learned that any person who is perceived as the best in their field, deftly combines core skills with well honed interpersonal skills. It takes a finite amount of time to achieve an education in developing a core skill foundation in a chosen career (i.e. 2-4 years of college or a business school). It takes a lifetime to develop good interpersonal shills. Why? Each interaction with a person is unique and different. I have recently been rereading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I often refer to this book as my human relations reference bible. Below is an excerpt from one of my favorite chapters; You Can't Win an Argument.

* Welcome disagreement

* Disregard your first instinctive impression

* Control your temper

* Listen first

* Look for areas of agreement

* Be honest

* Promise to think over your opponent's ideas and study them

* Thank your opponents sincerely for their interest

* Postpone action to give both sides time to think through the problem

The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

About the Author
With corporate travels from the mail room to the board room, Carl E. Reid knows what it takes to be successful. He has over 40 years of business experience, including 27 years as a technology expert, 16 years as a business career coach and 18 years as a successful entrepreneur. Carl has been a professional blogger and social media strategist since 2004. In addition to being a sought after speaker, he has coached and inspired hundreds of people to land jobs and start successful businesses.

Connect with Carl on LinkedIn - Facebook - Twitter

Email: CReid3005[AT]gmail.com
Web: http://www.CarlEReid.com
Tel: 201-222-5390

Best Home Based Business For Career Women

Career women have what other women do not have: a deep knowledge of their profession. This they can convert into information by publishing it on the web, then convert that content into targeted traffic and income.


The following information will assist career women to start a "customized" internet based home business. The best of the best home based business.


(1) Start From Your Career/Work Experience: Don't look outside, look inward. Your career information is your product. Your work experience has already equipped your to be a net consultant. All you need is the know-how and the right tools. You don't even need much money to start.


(2) Brainstorm Your Career-related Profitable Topics: Search for keywords and key phrases, which are often searched upon but are rarely targeted by websites. Your career itself may not be a profitable topic.


For example: If you are a teacher, surfers may not search for teachers or teaching, but they may look for related topics like career counseling, best school program for kids, improving child learning ability, building right attitude to learning, etc These are information that a teacher can easily provide. Once you locate a profitable topic make it your site theme or concept.


(3) Build A Website For Your Profitable Topic/Site Theme: For you to have a successful internet based home business you need a professional-looking website.
You don't need to have a prior knowledge of this (no html, or programming knowledge), with a multi-purpose business building tools like SiteBuildIt you can do site building, site hosting, site marketing, etc at one-single-minimum price.


(4) Get Free Targeted traffic With Good Content: When you follow the steps above, and with the right tool. You don't need to do any advertisement, people will look for you because you are providing the information they want.


The secrets?, don't write sales letters, provide good, quality, hard-to-ignore info on your well-known subject.


Develop trust and confidence by writing with your visitors best interest in mind. Identify their problems and identify why your solutions is the right solution.


You will build the best of home based businesses by this act of "preselling." You can get the book "Make Your Content To Presell" by Ken Envoy to help you in this area.


Most surfers look for information from search engines, so write to make your contents search engines friendly so that it is included in the top 10-20 results. the right business-building tool can do this for you.


(5) Turn Your Traffic Into Revenue: Smoothly introduce your site visitors to your revenue offers, these are products, services that help your site visitors to get the solutions that they seek, and to also generate multiple streams of income for you. They must include:


(a) Google Adsense:Visitors click on your Google Ads, generating money for you.


(b) Affiliate Programs of merchants who sell related goods or services to your theme.


(c) Referrer/finder Arrangements: Special offers for offline business.


(d) Other models for your long term goals(ex., e-goods, etc).


With these steps and the right tools you concentrate on doing what you love, generate multiple streams of income and build the best of home based businesses.

by: TopeNelson Ola



About The Author


TopeNelson Ola is a Business Building and Marketing Expert. His website located at http://www.myss.net/multipleprofit.html reveals the easiest way to net business building, and the perfect business building tool. You can also download free ebooks on Netwriting, Trafficking, etc.

Do's and Don'ts of Securing a Domain Name

Consider these six tips from small-business owners and experts before deciding on a website name.
By Jane Porter





Navigating the world of domain names can be a daunting task if you're not up to speed on how to get one. With countless caveats and hosting companies out there, it's easy to be overwhelmed or worse, make a mistake that could ultimately cripple your business.

Consider these do's and don'ts from small-business owners and experts to help secure your company's domain name.

Do: Include a location or keywords in your domain name, if you can.
If your business focuses on a geographic region, try to put the location into the name of your domain, says Jean Bedord, a Silicon Valley-based search consultant and author of the book I've Got a Domain Name--Now What??? When Mikalai Krivenko needed a domain for his painting business in Hoboken, N.J., in 2009, his son Yuriy, a Jersey City, N.J.-based search-optimization specialist, suggested he put "Hoboken" in the name. For $11, Krivenko bought hobokenpainter.com, which shows up at the top of keyword searches that include "Hoboken" and "painter." Whether it's location, or what your company does, Krivenko advises: "Put the most important keyword for your industry in the domain name."


Do: Register yourself as the owner of the domain name.
Some business owners make the mistake of not checking to ensure whoever registers their domain name does so under the business owner's name. It's very important to be sure you are the domain owner and administrative contact, says Bedord. "It's just like a piece of property. If you don't own the property, you can't sell an existing business," she says.

It's an obvious, yet common, mistake made by business owners. Three years after Graham Hunt, 44, started his real estate firm Valencia Property in Spain in 2000, the two-person web design team he hired to build his site split and he had to choose between them. Hunt soon discovered the partner he didn't choose had registered himself as the owner and administrative contact for the domain name, so Hunt didn't own his own website. It took three years and he ended up paying the disgruntled partner nearly $6,000 in sales commission fees to get back ownership of the domain, which originally cost just $15.

Do: Remember to renew your domain name registration.
When Nick Hoffmann, 32, missed the renewal of his networking company's domain name inetguru.com in 2000, it was a crippling business blow. The name got bought by someone else and without email access through the site, Hoffmann lost contact with clients. Eventually, he folded the company. Now working as chief operating officer for an aftermarket marketplace for domains, Hoffmann suggests buying a registration for five or 10 years upfront, or setting up an annual auto-renew payment. Just make sure the credit card on file doesn't expire, another common mistake that might lead to losing a domain name. "The whole aftermarket industry is based on names that drop off," he says. "It happens every day."

Don't: Use dashes, abbreviations or numbers in your domain name.
Instead, come up with a catchy name that's easy to remember and captures your business. Fan Bi, co-founder of Blank Label, a Boston-based online custom dress shirt company learned that lesson when settling on a domain in 2008. At the time, blanklabel.com was out of his price range at $15,000. Bi chose blank-label.com for a much cheaper $250. But as the business grew, he realized the hyphenated name was far from the best choice. "You get much more word-of-mouth if it's a name you can easily say without having to spell out," Bi says. Last year, after months of negotiation with the domain owner, he was able to purchase blanklabel.com for $6,000. Just three months after the change, website traffic shot up 25%.

Don't: Waste money on extensions other than .com.
When you register your domain name, you'll be bombarded with offers to purchase other versions like .net and .co. For most small businesses, that's not needed. Investing in other extensions becomes important when patenting something or protecting a trademark, says Bedord. If you think a competitor might want the .net version of your domain name, for example, consider taking it first. "The reality is you have to pay for every one of those," Bedord says. "The value is really in the .com."

Don't: Buy a domain without checking into its past.
Even available domains can be exposed to legal trouble if the name is too similar to another company's trademark. Nearly a year after launching New York-based LEEDTeacher in 2009, Zachary Rose learned the domain LEEDTeacher.com infringed on the registered trademark of a massive nonprofit. Rose, now 29, received a cease-and-desist letter demanding he change the name of his green jobs training firm, and shut down the website. He ultimately paid $2,000 in lawyer fees, renamed the company Green Education Services and switched the domain to GreenEDU.com.

* Related: Protecting Your Business with a Trademark

Aside from consulting a lawyer, check www.whois.net, which lists registered domain names, for other possible legal landmines, suggests Rose. The site also includes expired domains up for grabs, and you can learn what problems a name comes with. For example, if a previous domain owner violated a Google term and was banned from Google searches, you'll want to know before investing in the name, Rose says.

27 Money-Saving Tips From Successful Small Businesses

by Annie Mueller

Sure, theoretical advice is nice, but when you're struggling to keep your business going, you want real help from people who've lived through the same situations. I've collected 27 money-saving tips from real small businesses that are succeeding in a tough economy. Real people, real businesses and real ideas to help you cut costs, lower your overhead, and still reach your target market and build your business.

 

1. Cut traditional advertising in favor of low-cost alternatives.
This is a popular move for small businesses and thanks to the many options in Internet marketing and advertising, it's possible to cut traditional advertising costs and still reach customers. Marissa K. Haynes of Wealth Management Group of NA, LLC, a 15-year-old business, recommends public relations as a much cheaper and more effective form of advertising. Haynes and her colleagues have used their expertise to be featured as credible sources in publications and media outlets.

John Boyd, CEO of cloud-based Meeting Wave, chose to stop paying for advertising and focus on inbound marketing. Shai Atanelov, CEO of BigTimeWireless, cut down even on paid Internet advertising (such as Google Adwords) and focused on getting results by using SEO techniques within the company website and creating YouTube videos, a move which garnered over 700,000 views and a boost in traffic to the website.

2. Get sponsors for events.
Events can be huge draws for both old and new customers, and many businesses rely on regular events, from galas to seminars, to expand their customer base. Haynes recommends getting sponsors who will help carry the expense of events in exchange for some form of advertising within the event. It's usually a good trade for both the small business hosting the event and the sponsor paying for expenses, if the two are in related areas.

3. Outsource, outsource, outsource.
Employees are essential to getting work done, but employee costs—from salaries to office space to insurance—can be the biggest chunk of a small business's budget. Georgette Pascale, owner of PR Firm Pascale Communications, chooses to keep her full-time staff to a minimum and outsources work to independent contractors for the work that her staff cannot cover as needed.

Deborah Sweeney, CEO of My Corporation Business Services, Inc., uses the same method by hiring consultants as needed; Sweeney maintains that she can not only negotiate a lower rate with consultants, but that her business benefits from their more varied experience in their fields of expertise.

4. Negotiate with vendors.
What you've been paying your vendors does not have to be the final word on what you continue paying. Ultimately, vendors want to stay in business too, and they're dealing with a tough economy just as you are. Many are often willing to negotiate lower prices rather than lose a regular customer. Ian Aronovich, of GovernmentAuctions.org, shares that his firm was able to negotiate better prices on everything from office supplies to the phone bill. You certainly won't lose anything by trying, and you may find yourself able to shave several hundred dollars off your monthly operating costs.

5. Think beyond the cash box.
When that cash supply gets low, as it tends to do in small businesses, don't close the door on getting what you need. Pascale recommends the ages-old practice of bartering. She used bartering successfully by offering her own PR services in exchange for work by an interior design firm when she needed an office redesign. As with the vendor negotiation, the worst answer you can get is a simple no, and you might be surprised by how quickly you'll hear a yes.

6. Live in the cloud.
Frugal marketing advice gurus will give you a cloud-based solution before you even finish asking your question, but real small business owners recommend the same strategy. Boyd, of MeetingWave.com, avoids the cost of expensive hardware and uses cloud-based services to host data. Bibby Gignilliat, founder of San Francisco-based Parties That Cook opts for cloud-based software, "such as Salesforce, PayCycle and Staffmate where we pay per annual user, rather than needing to purchase and maintain expensive software in-house."

7. Cut extraneous employee expenses, not employees.

Aronovich says that his business used to provide free lunches to in-house staff, until 2009, that is, when the economy forced them to rethink their expenditures. Though neither the company nor the employees wanted to give up the perk, it was a better choice financially for them to offer a simple bagel breakfast on Fridays, save the money spent on the free lunches, and thus be able to keep their employees working rather than laying them off.

8. Embrace telecommuting.
Telecommuting isn't possible for all businesses, or for all employees within a business, but when it is, it can be a huge money-saver. Pascale's business was founded as an all-virtual agency from its beginning six years ago. Keeping things virtual allows small businesses such as Pascale's to avoid the expense of office space and the ongoing operating costs that come with it, and focus on producing work at minimum overhead. If you're not able to convert your entire staff to a telecommuting situation, find a way to convert at least some of them.

9. Go green to save green.
Going green is not only a great PR move, it's also a smart financial move, according to Shel Horowitz, author of Guerilla Marketing Goes Green: Winning Strategies to Improve Your Profits and Your Planet. Horowitz recommends simple moves such as keeping equipment on a power strip and turning it off when not in use, or replacing your existing printer with one that prints on both sides of the paper, thus reducing paper waste and cost. Since the object of many environmentally friendly changes is to save energy, and you have to pay for the energy your business uses, if you can reduce energy use you will also be reducing your costs.

10. Hire smart, inexperienced people.
Experience isn't everything, and it costs more. Next time you put up a job ad, eliminate the line that says, "Must have X years of experience," and replace it with "Recent graduates welcome to apply." Sweeney used this approach and hired developers who were fresh out of graduate school, gaining a monetary advantage by providing an entry-level salary and, she says, benefiting by having employees who are "up-to-date on the latest technology...often more nimble and eager to learn."

11. Clarify your policy on giving.
Rather than cutting out all charitable contributions, spend 20 minutes putting together a policy that will clarify your procedures and limits. This is especially helpful if you're in a food-based business, which can be overwhelmed by requests for "food donations" for fund-raising events, or if your business deals in other goods which charitable organizations need. Tracy Kellner of Provenance Food, a Chicago-based business, found this approach the best way to deal with the frequent requests she had to spend time answering. Instead of using her own time to respond, Kellner created a very specific policy, made it available via e-mail or as a physical document, and instructed her employees to hand it out to anyone seeking donations.

12. Negotiate with your landlord.
Joellen Sommer, a financial expert, suggests renegotiating a lease to save on costs. Gignilliat of Parties That Cook did just that and was able to save on one of the biggest expenses small businesses face. If prime retail space is important for your business, start asking about a better deal and cut down on that budget-buster.

13. Cut down on employee time.
Sommer also finds that her clients can cut many employees down to a four-day work week, which often works better for employees as well as business owners. A four-day work week means increased savings in utility and operating costs, as well as a lower salary cost for the business as a whole.

14. Practice guerilla marketing.
Guerilla marketing can not only get your business noticed, it can also save your business money. Nina Cunningham of Liberty Tax Servicepoints to their practice of using "Lady Liberty costume wavers" and on-the-street entertainment. They've been using these techniques since 1997, says Cunningham, and find that "for every two hours we have a waver, we get a customer."

15. Keep your meetings lean.
On-site meetings can be expensive in terms of travel and hosting costs, and even virtual meetings cost you in terms of billable hours or salary costs. If employees are sitting in a meeting, rather than producing work or getting new clients, you're losing money. You can't eliminate meetings altogether, but you can learn from David Lanagan, founder of SMB Communications. Lanagan recommends, first, that you limit the people who are required to participate in meetings. "By keeping client meetings to the lowest head-count possible," Lanagan says, "[I] ensure that my employees' time is well spent and that the associated costs are low."

16. Save on shipping.
Jessie Connors, CEO of luxury e-tailer Peppermint Park, which has been noted in publications such as O Magazine, notes that her shipping manager constantly checks and compares prices on shipping, negotiates better terms, and makes sure that they save every penny they can. As Connor states, "If we save a few pennies in shipping on each product the savings falls to the bottom line and can add up to become big money."

17. Cut down on maintenance.
Do you really need a daily cleaning service at the office? Sommer recommends reviewing ongoing maintenance costs such as these, and cutting back wherever possible. Employees can empty their own trash. A cleaning service can come in weekly instead of daily. Reduce the frequency of maintenance costs, and you can save money without reducing the maintenance or necessary service items completely.

18. Get interns.
Gignilliat found marketing interns from local schools for help with building the business' social media program. "They blogged, tweeted and posted to Facebook regularly," says Gignilliat, "which helped us improve our Search Engine Optimization and get more business." And using interns rather than full-time employees cuts way back on expenses, from salaries to benefits to office space. Combine this strategy with telecommuting and you'll be able to get a lot of work done for a fraction of the cost.

19. Review all expenses, even the little ones.
It's just smart business practice, but it's often overlooked until tough economic times force you into it. Aronovich remembers that, in 2009, they analyzed all company expenses to cut anything unnecessary. Small cuts in ongoing expenses can add up to large savings over the long-term. Review everything that isn't providing a ROI, cut back to the bare minimum, and completely eliminate anything extraneous.

20. Find a cheaper way.
You can often find a cheaper way to provide the same employee perks, as in the case of Gignilliat, who cut out the $900-per-year water cooler expense and replaced it with a filtered water pitcher. From $900 to $30 is a significant savings, and if you can accomplish that sort of financial savvy in more than one area, you can turn your business into a lean, profit-generating machine.

21. Buy in bulk.
Gignilliat's company switched to shopping the cheapest deals on office supplies such as inkjet cartridges, and purchasing from bulk warehouses or online suppliers to save money on both the product cost and the shipping cost. Analyze your ongoing expenses and pinpoint the ones that are purchased randomly or at middle-man suppliers. Check into bulk buying and see if you can't save a significant amount on those frequent-use items.

22. Use open source software.
Software, from the basic to the complex, is essential on some level in every business. Before you spend hundreds on software purchases or updates, check into the free open source alternatives. Boyd's company used open source software to build their online product, and you can find open source software for everything from photo editing to invoicing to accounting, project management, and document creation.

23. Do some old-school marketing.
Rhondalynn Korolak, managing director of Imagineering Unlimited, finds that the simple, old-fashioned practice of sending a hand-written thank you note to customers can have a huge return. Korolak has found that this practice alone "can lift sales by 10-20 percent," making it a definite worthwhile investment of five minutes of time and the cost of a stamp.

24. Create partnerships for marketing.
Boyd advocates creating partnerships with other startups to cut costs and increase reach on promotional efforts. Alicia Vargo, CEO of luxury lingerie store PamperedPassions.com, concurs: "We have given up the print and radio advertising and focused on related alliances, for example bridal shops, post mastectomy businesses, photographers, hospitals and plastic surgeons. These are related areas for us. The organic partnerships far outweigh an ad or a radio promotion."

25. Simplify your distribution process.
Atanelov allowed a financial crunch to lead to a complete overhaul of the business' distribution system, eliminating the practice of warehousing and shipping their own inventory and turning to suppliers instead to "create a drop shipping partnership with them." Says Atanelov, "Our supplier would ship directly to our customers for us... [they] agreed to do this on the condition that we bring in enough orders."

Look at the distribution process in your own business and find ways to simplify or eliminate the processes involved. Focus your business and your employees on their strengths, and negotiate smart agreements to keep your business moving forward.

26. Know your customer.
This simple advice from Allen Ash of Almar Sales Co, a family business founded in 1965, is perhaps the most applicable. Think of it in terms of your particular business. If you know your customers well enough to know where they actually go online, then you can focus your online marketing efforts there instead of spreading your resources out over a whole arena of Internet options.

If you know what your customers like, how they respond, what they want, and what they'll spend, you eliminate all the other options from your budget. Eliminating useless options means the money you do spend is more focused and will garner a better response, so you're not only saving money initially, but you'll be producing more profit from what you do put forth.

27. Reward your profit-makers.
It may seem a little backwards, but spending to save does make sense in some cases. Korolak recommends taking the proactive approach of rewarding profitable behavior from both your employees and your customers. What does that look like? For Conners, it means making little gestures, like an occasional free lunch or treat, to boost employee morale and keep the work environment positive.

It could also mean offering bonuses to employees who meet certain requirements for sales or productions, and offering deeper discounts or value-added packages to your most loyal customers. If you're spending a little money on the people who do the best work for you, or purchase the most product from you, you're simply investing in a relationship that will ultimately bring more profit to your business.



About the Author
Annie Mueller is a freelance writer based in St. Louis. She covers small business topics with a focus on lean/zero budget startups, business blogging, and simple (sane) ways business can use social media without selling their souls to Facebook. Her work can be seen online at Investopedia's Financial Edge blog, Young Entrepreneur, Wise Bread, Organic Authority, Modern Mom, and her own site, AnnieMueller.com. Find her on Twitter: @AnnieMueller.


Tags: marissa k. haynes, ian aronovich, deborah sweeney, wise bread, financial management, john boyd, annie mueller, georgette pascale, saving money

How To Optimize Your LinkedIn Company Profile For Recruiting






Sharlyn Lauby
(Mashable)



LinkedIn offers companies the ability to provide more information about their organization via their company pages. On a company page, you can include information about your products and services along with information about job opportunities.


This is a relatively new feature, relaunched back in November 2010. Several Fortune 500 companies were part of the launch of this new feature including Dell, Eastman Kodak, JetBlue and Microsoft. But company pages are not exclusive to only large businesses—Harvard Business School, Rypple, Squarespace and other well-known, successful organizations have LinkedIn company pages.


Since one of the primary purposes of LinkedIn is career networking, it only seems logical to make sure your company profile is being leveraged as much for recruiting as it is for marketing. Here are five things to consider including in your LinkedIn company profile to attract candidates.

Congratulations-It's A Business!

Imagine having a newborn dropped off on your doorstep wrapped only in a blanket with a note attached that reads, "Take care of me."

For the sake of argument say you wanted a baby so this is like a windfall. You bring the child in the house and it only takes a couple of moments to realize that you have no diapers and no formula, so out you go (or you send your husband) to buy the necessary items.

When he returns, you change and feed the infant and begin rocking her to sleep, but once she drifts off you are at a loss as to where to put her. You don't have a crib, a playpen or even a stroller.

You and your husband start making a list of the items you are going to require in the coming days to properly care for this little life. The list grows longer and longer. The cost of the items quickly exceeds your budget. You start wondering if you can keep this baby.

While this story may seem crazy, this is how many people start their businesses. They want a business, so one day they make some business cards and say, "Here I am world, hire me."

As with the child, it doesn't take long for them to realize that they need some essentials to do the bare minimum for their business' survival, so they rush out and take care of those things.

Once those pressing needs are handled other things surface. As the list of items they either need to buy or need to do grows, it becomes apparent that the business requires more care and feeding than initially thought. When the cost of everything is calculated it's likely more than they anticipated.

At this point, doubt around whether they should have started the business in the first place and whether they can make it successful if they keep going creep in smothering the initial passion for the idea.

But it doesn't have to play out like this.

Think about when you got pregnant or decided to adopt. If everything went as planned, you had at least nine months to plan, prepare and line-up everything you would need for the nurturing and care of your new baby.

In those nine months, you focused on getting ready. You did everything from create a space, to buy items, to engage family and friends in contributing, to read books to gain parenting knowledge, and to choose the professionals you would rely on to assist you. If you were anything like most parents I know, you spent hours and hours mulling over names and envisioning how it would be when the baby came.

This is the mindset I recommend you adopt when starting a business.

For many momprenuers your business is both a way to make money and a way for you to contribute. Make sure that you take the time to properly gestate your business concept by taking the time to prepare. Depending on the type of business, your family's current situation and the amount of time and resources you have to commit, preparing to give birth to your new business can take from one month to two years.

Remember that premature babies require more attention and often costly care to nurture to health. A business opened prematurely will also require more of your attention to fix and can drain your bank account and resources quickly.


New Business Mentor Leah Grant publishes Startup Success, a weekly ezine. If you're thinking about starting a new business or are in the early phases of entrepreneurship, visit http://www.leahgrant.com. In her Special Report: 15 Absolutely Important Things You Must Do Before Starting Your Business, at http://www.beforestartingyourbusiness.com, she shares the things you need to do to prepare for your newest child: your business.

How to Network: 12 Tips for Shy People

Schmoozing is a trial for shy people, but armed with these common-sense tips they can increase their networking mojo.


CIO — Networking is the key to success in business, says Keith Ferrazzi, business coach and author of Never Eat Alone, a book about the power of relationship building and networking. It helps you find jobs, recruit talent, win new customers and discover investors who'll support your ideas.

But networking is a trial for shy people—geeks especially. They view it as insincere at best, manipulative at worst. They eschew networking for a variety of reasons including lack of confidence, fear of rejection and a sense of unworthiness.

If they could just relate to others more easily, if they just possessed more self-confidence and weren't such self-conscious wallflowers, the world would be their oyster, and schmoozing would be so much easier.

It is possible for shrinking violets and shy guys to master the skill of networking. They just have to realize, says Ferrazzi, that successful networking is all about building intimate, sincere relationships based on mutual generosity, not duplicity, and that they can't achieve their career goals on their own. They have to network their way to success.

If you're struggling to meet new people, here's some common-sense advice for increasing your networking mojo.

Start Small
If the idea of approaching people you don't know intimidates you, begin your networking efforts by seeking out familiar faces, such as relatives and friends.

"You can do a significant amount of valuable networking without ever having to make a cold call," says Lynne Sarikas, the director of Northeastern University's MBA Career Center. "Starting with a known [contact] instead of an unknown demystifies the [networking] process and helps get a shy person over the hurdle." A series of successful conversations will make you more confident in the process, Sarikas adds.


A logical next step after talking with friends and family is to pursue individuals who graduated from your college. Your alumni network can be a gold mine of connections, says Sarikas. It exists for the purpose of networking, so contacting an alum out of the blue shouldn't feel like a cold call. After all, they joined the network to make and take such calls.

Stop Apologizing
Introverts and inexperienced networkers often apologize when asking for an individual's help because they see networking as an imposition, not as an exercise in relationship building, says Sarikas.

"They feel like they're asking someone to do them a favor. They don't think they're worth someone else's time so they're apologizing for it," she says.

Apologizing merely demonstrates your lack of professionalism and confidence. It's also annoying and juvenile. You don't have to apologize for asking for help. You don't have to apologize for wanting to learn more about the individual with whom you're networking. One day you may be able to help her out.

Tap into Your Primal Instincts
"Humans are hard-wired as communal, tribal animals, so the shy person isn't shy by nature," says Ferrazzi. "They are shy by design. Something happened to them to make them want to recoil."

Sometimes, when an introvert hears that he's not inherently a loner, that humans are innately social creatures, the realization helps him emerge from his shell of shyness, he says.



Be Yourself
Many introverted professionals think they have to act like an extrovert in networking situations. While you do have to make an effort to be more gregarious than normal, you shouldn't be artificial.

"You don't have to be the schmoozer," says Never Eat Alone's Ferrazzi. The problem with the schmoozer's approach to networking is that he doesn't have the right intent: He's not interested in helping other people—only himself, says Ferrazzi.

"Be the authentic, aw-shucks, humble, shy person you are. It can be endearing. Don't try to be something you're not," adds Ferrazzi.

In other words, it's OK if you're a little awkward. Just don't keep apologizing for it.

Tap into Your Passions
Sarikas recommends joining clubs and attending events that relate to an interest or activity you enjoy. If you're a budding oenophile, attend a wine tasting at your local liquor store. Eager reader? Join a book club. Can't get enough of the pigskin? Attend a football game or watch one at a bar.

"Just because you're a technology professional doesn't mean you should only go to technology conferences to network," says Sarikas. "That person sitting in front of you [at the ball game] might have a job you always dreamed about or work in a company that you want to get into. You could sit behind them the whole season and never know that unless you initiate a conversation."

The advantage of engaging in activities you enjoy with other people is that it makes conversation so much easier. So while you're analyzing the cabernet's nose, discussing the plot of A Thousand Splendid Suns or sharing game stats, ask the person with whom you're chatting for her name and about her work. There's no reason not to do so if you're having an amiable conversation.

Attending gatherings where you feel comfortable helps you put your best foot forward, says Debra Feldman, an executive talent agent and job search expert. "Avoid situations where you might be stressed, rushed or distracted from your networking mission," she adds.

If you do find yourself in a room full of strangers at a technology conference or party, Ferrazzi recommends going straight to the stuff that interests you. "When you talk about things you're passionate about, you will light up and appear more engaging," he says. "You don't have to find a shared interest [to connect with others]. You just have to share your interests." So be sure to ask the people around you what they do in their spare time.


Ask for Introductions
Peter Handal, Dale Carnegie & Associates' chairman, CEO and president, notes that shy people attending conferences tend to find one person with whom they spend all their time for the duration of the event.

Although settling in with one person may be more comfortable for the introvert than introducing himself to lots of new people, says Handal, it defeats the purpose of networking.

He recommends that the shy person ask his new buddy if the new buddy knows anyone else and if the new buddy could make some introductions on his behalf. "That's a nice soft way for people at the shy end of the spectrum to meet others," says Handal.

Be Generous
Sometimes shy people have trouble networking because they don't think they have anything significant, such as a job or a contact, to give back to someone who helped them.

Although networking works best when you do have something to offer, what you offer doesn't have to be a job, says Ferrazzi. Sincere interest in the other person—even flattery—is a form of generosity and goes a long way when you're networking, he says.

"Be authentic, share your passions and help other people feel good about themselves or be successful—that's all you have to do to network," he says.

Be Prepared
If you're afraid you'll freeze up or get tongue-tied in a social setting, prepare yourself in advance. Think of ice-breaker questions you can ask people you meet. If you're attending an event specifically to network your way to a new job, have your personal pitch ready, says Feldman. She also recommends anticipating questions you may be asked, such as why you're looking for a new job, and have clear, concise answers at the ready. "Your delivery has to be attention grabbing to overcome interruptions and compensate for a lack of privacy," she says.

Follow Up
Sharing information—whether a website, article, report or phone number—with new contacts builds your credibility, says Sarikas. So if you promised to e-mail a report to someone you met on the plane, make sure you do that.

"When you do what you've said you were going to do, it gives the other person the impression that you keep your word," she says. If you don't, you're just another schmoozer.

Get Over Your Fear of Rejection
In the course of networking, you'll encounter people who can't or don't want to help you . That's life, says Sarikas. Don't take it personally and don't dwell on it. It's all part of the process.


Take Risks
When you overcome your fear of rejection, it'll be easier to make cold calls and strike up conversations with strangers.

"The person sitting next to you at a banquet or on an airplane may be feeling as uncomfortable as you are and will appreciate you breaking the ice," says Sarikas. "They just might be a fabulous contact for you or know the right person for you to talk to." You just won't know until you try.

See a Shrink
If you can't open up to people, you'll never be able to network. And if you absolutely can not overcome your shyness on your own, Ferrazzi recommends seeing a therapist who can help you understand why you're so shy and give you the tools to change.

"Your ability to be intimate with others is the core of networking," says Ferrazzi. "Shy people know at their core that they're lonely and long for more intimacy. They just don't have the courage and the confidence to achieve it."



By Meridith Levinson
http://www.cio.com

Networking Tips: How to Work a Room

Networking can serve as a valuable strategy for getting a lead on a job, gathering information, or catching the special attention of a company recruiter.
Most of us are not born minglers. Practice and preparation will help you develop the skills it takes to be effective at an Employer Info Session, a Career Fair, or other serendipitous opportunities. As difficult or awkward as it may feel at first, the ability to meet and make a positive, professional impression on people will become ever more important as your career advances and develops. Here are some tips to get you started.

Check your attitude
Many of us are shy or reluctant to approach strangers in new social situations, so understandably it's not always easy to muster the energy to try and connect with people at networking events. That's why it's key to get mentally geared up before you even show up. Because your attitude often guides your behavior, you must overcome any negative self-talk that could hinder you from reaching out to others. Do these outlooks sound familiar?

•"Why should I bother trying to impress this person? I'm only one of a hundred students this recruiter is going to see today."
•"I don't think I know enough to engage the company reps in an intelligent conversation."
•"I've never really been good at meeting people. That's just my personality."
Such negative thoughts prevent you from pushing past any social roadblocks standing in your way. The truth is that many, if not most, people have similar thoughts in group situations and are just as hesitant to initiate conversations. But if you change your attitude from negative to positive, you can instead take the lead. Remember:

•People enjoy talking about themselves. Ask them questions to get them started.
•People feel flattered when you show an interest in them and their work/organization. And they will reciprocate your demonstrations of sincere interest.
•You have more to offer others than you might think; just believe it.
Redefine what it means to interact with "strangers"
When you join a new student organization or club, you share certain interests with the members. When you go to a party, you run into people you've seen in class or around your dorm. A networking event is not really all that different if you view it as an occasion to find what you have in common with other people there. Commonalities help "strangers" connect more easily.

•Take the initiative to approach others, introduce yourself, and share a piece of information that could reveal the common thread you share with them.
•During conversations, listen carefully to discover shared interests or goals.
•Use your shared background or interests as the basis for sustaining conversations.
Prepare and practice your self-introduction
To avoid being tongue-tied when you try to start a conversation with someone you don't know, prepare a self-introduction that is clear, interesting, and well delivered. What you say about yourself will depend on the nature of the event, but in any case, it shouldn't take longer than 8-10 seconds. Although practicing your introduction might at first seem silly and artificial, it will eventually help you make an introduction that sounds natural, confident, and smooth. Here are a few examples:

•"Hi, my name is Catherine Lee. I'm glad to have this chance to meet you and learn how a psychology major can break into the pharmaceutical industry." [Employer Information Session]
•"Good morning, I'm Bryan Sampson, a former summer intern at your Los Angeles branch." [Career Fair]
•"Hello, my name is Jessica Garcia. I'm a junior rhetoric major looking to find out what it's like working in public relations and marketing." [Career Speed Dating Event]
Risk rejection - it's not the end of the world
It happens. Some individuals may not respond to your introduction in the way you would like. If that takes place, don't take it personally and just move on. As long as you maintain an outgoing and friendly attitude, you can plan for continued networking success by:

•Identifying the goals you want to achieve at the networking event before you go (e.g., to learn more about a career, to develop internship leads, etc.)
•Keeping a healthy sense of humor.
•Treating everyone as you would want to be treated. Aside from being the courteous thing to do, you don't know who might be helpful to you in the future.
And last, but not least, don't forget how important it is for you to physically move around and about when you're at a networking event. You can't work a room when you're sitting down! So get in there and show them what you've got.


Networking and Informational Interviewing
Tips to Get the Most Out of Career Fairs
@cal Career Network
Job & Internship Guide

UC Berkeley Career Center

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

network / nétwerk n. & v. a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes. (The Oxford Dictionary)


Ask ten different people what networking is and you may get as many as ten different answers. A person's definition of networking probably depends upon their use of this important personal and professional activity. However, whether you network to make new friends, find a new job, develop your current career, explore new career options, obtain referrals or sales leads, or simply to broaden your professional horizons, it is important to focus on networking as an exchange of information, contacts or experience.


In any industry or career level networking helps you make connections in a personal way and build relationships of support and respect to discover and create mutual benefits. It is a skill set no serious professional woman of the 21st Century can be without.



NETWORKING "HOW TO'S"

· Start with a purpose. It does you no good to attend any networking function unless you define your objectives to know why you are there.

· The name tag is worn on the right side to provide an easy sight-line to your name when shaking hands.

· Have an effective handshake. This may appear obvious, but you have probably been on the receiving end of at least one "bone-crusher" and one "limp fish." Practice your handshake to avoid giving one of those yourself!

· Be sure to introduce yourself!

1. Say your name clearly. "Hello, my name is Juanita Curtiz. It's a pleasure to meet you."

2. Shake hands.

3. Use an "elevator" speech: describe who you are or what you do in ten seconds or less.

4. When appropriate, offer a business card, and ask the other person for one of his or hers. Sometimes, it is more appropriate to exchange business cards only when you depart from one another.

· Once the event is over, your networking doesn't stop! Be sure to follow up with those you've met, keep in contact, share information and offer to help in any way you can.

· Be sure to send a written acknowledgement or "Thank You" note to your networking contacts.



TIPS FOR WORKING A ROOM

In many networking events, you will find yourself with time to "mingle" among the other attendees before the formal program begins. It may be beneficial for you to spend some time planning and preparing how you will "work the room" to get the most from your efforts.


· Start with small talk.

· Don't stay too long in one place. After eight to ten minutes, excuse yourself with a pleasantry such as, "It was nice meeting you ... "

· Let preparation and practice be your guide. Spend some time planning your conversation generators.



TIPS FOR WORKING A TABLE

Many networking events will feature a meal if held during meal time hours. It is crucial to practice good table etiquette to make the best impression.


· Make the introductions. Proceed as if you're the host of the table.

· Sit and listen to learn. Start the conversation by asking questions: why people are there, what they hope to gain, how they found out about the event. Avoid monopolizing the conversation.

· Keep your business cards handy. Do not deal them out impersonally.

· Practice good table etiquette. Let common sense and consideration of others be your guide.



NETWORKING/INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

The informational interview is a tried and true method used to gather information and gain insights when searching for career opportunities and exploring new options. When asking for an informational interview:


· Be clear on your mission. Be honest with people by respecting their time, and don't have a hidden agenda.

· Make sure you have the right person. Sometimes your initial contact can direct you to someone more appropriate to your mission and purpose. Be open to suggestions as to who else you might contact.

· Be prepared and interested. Prepare your personal introduction, and plan your questions. Take notes, and try to keep the meeting to a half hour.

· Always send a "Thank You" note!



CONCLUSION

Networking can be a fun and easy way to enrich your life, broaden your horizons, and enhance your career. But, it can also be potentially devastating if you act rudely, insensitively, or ignore the needs and desires of others. Remember, crucial to your success is that you treat networking as an exchange of ideas, information and experience. You are not selling or simply telling or "sponging" off of others for your own benefit only. Be generous in sharing your talents, experiences, and ideas, and always be respectful of those around you.


Good luck and have fun!




Contributed by Diane Mashia, Patron Member, Rochester Women's Network. Diane Mashia is President and Lead Consultant for Learning Out Loud, a professional development organization dedicated to performance improvement through active participation.



Rochester Women's Network
249 Highland Ave. Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14620
585.271.4182 • Fax: 585.271.7159
E-mail: rwn@rwn.org

How to Make the Company CEO Your Best Friend


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This is in response to a recent question an associate recently posed about providing recommendations to potential employers or clients.

As a savvy intrapreneur, your approach is a necessary part of the selling process. References or recommendations are "testimonials" of your skills and business savvy. We can say our skills allow us to walk on water. Testimonials go a long way in holding more weight to address hiring managers' 3 greatest fears.

Testimonials from associates, coworkers and team members become our silent sales force. Each person is selling your skills and enhancing your reputation, without any of them being present. You can never have too many testimonials. I have a very large 3 ring binder with 15 years worth of testimonials, in addition to LinkedIn recommendations.

Testimonials are easy to get. Just listen for the magic words spoken to you by associates, customers, team mates etc., like "I owe you one" "you saved me" or "how can I repay you?".

Testimonials can be formal letters, emails or LinkedIn type. My favorite is what I call the "Power Testimonial". No matter where a person works in an organization, the "Power Testimonial" can create a guardian angel relationship with the CEO and senior executives.

The next time you hear "how can I repay you?" ask the person to write a letter to the CEO of the company about their satisfaction with your services [and they copy you on the letter]. A reference letter will trickle down the chain of command faster, than a reference letter trickling up, if it is sent to your manager. This is an excellent marketing technique for getting senior management to know who you are and what you actually do. Repeating this process makes for your own built in marketing newsletter to senior executives.

P.S. - hand deliver a copy of every "Power Testimonial" or any company related recommendation [even if it is an email] to Human Resources for submission into your personal file. When things get hairy (i.e. who gets cut?), those recommendations can make that little extra difference between life and death. You can also reach out to your guardian angels, since they now know who you are.



Posted On 4/03/2011 by Carl E. Reid

Post Interview Thank –You Note

Even if you make you initial follow-up by telephone, you should send a brief thank-you letter or e-mail message within 48 hours of your interview to be sure your message is received during the decision-making stage. (The body of a thank-you e-mail is similar to that of a thank-you letter.)



You should write a thank you - note to every person who interviewed you. The letters can be basically the same, but try to vary each one in case the recipients compare notes. If you’ve already made a telephone call, do not restate your qualifications in this message; just thank the interviewer, with no strings attached! Send a thank-you note even if you’re sure the job is not for you.



The thank-you letter brings your name before the interviewer in a favorable light one more time, reinforcing your name in his or her mind. It also provides a positive written record of you in the employer’s files.



If the interviewer prefers that you follow up in writing or if you think your interview performance was weak in any area and follow-up is important to getting hired, send a more complete follow-up letter. This letter should include the following:

1. A reference to your interview and the position you are seeking

2. Clarification of any pertinent information omitted during your interview

3. A brief version of you 60-Second Branding Statement

4. A thank-you for the interview’s time

5. A statement of enthusiasm for the job

6. Encouragement of a speedy hiring decision



The follow-up letter provides a permanent written record of your qualifications and professional courtesy. The employer can review it any time, making it an effective way to keep your “brand” running.



Best wishes and own your career,



Rod Colón
Career Management Consultant, Executive Coach, Speaker, Author
Weekly Co-Host of Radio Show "YOUR CAREER IS CALLING".
732-367-5580

www.RodColon.com



Rod's 7-Step Job Search Video

Listen to “Your Career is Calling” Archives

View Rod Colon ABC-TV Interview Sharing Job Search Tips
Connect with Rod: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
Win the Race the Race for 21st Century Jobs

Actionable Items for Getting Back to Work: The Job Search Process

The job search process can be a mystery for people returning to work after a long absence from the work place or for those who have found themselves in the middle of a stalled search. The following is a quick outline of steps to help guide you if you are wondering where to begin or have gotten off track.

1.Determine which skills you prefer to use, are current, you are good at, and are marketable or competitive, based on current market conditions. (Get guidance for this if you are unsure).

- Set goals with clear objectives and time lines
- Get clear about your financial commitments and develop a budget

2.Expand your network to:
- Learn more information about skills (see #1)
- Learn more about an industry
- Develop leads to learn about companies’ needs and potential new opportunities

3.Create a "Master Resume” (Get help if you need it)
- Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile updated with new training or projects, and make sure they are relevant for what you are pursuing
- Tailor a resume from your "master" to fit each/ every position you pursue

4.Prepare for interviews:
- Research to learn all that you can about a company or position (see #2)
- Write out answers to frequently asked questions (in your field.)

Completing these steps will ensure you will be competing as strongly as you are able. Omitting any of them can inhibit your ability to effectively compete, no matter what you apply for. In addition to the actionable items to pursue, the following are some basic behaviors to employ or change to make sure you can compete in a tough market.

•Get up and be ready to work before 7:30 AM
•Work evenings or weekends as necessary
•Be flexible
•Exhibit a high level of urgency
•Be willing to face change
•Show your ability to overcome and solve problems
•Possess clear communication skills
•Maintain a positive attitude

The bad economy doesn’t have to paralyze you. Although there isn’t a magic pill that will make you instantly employed, the process isn’t rocket science. Creating a plan and managing your time and attitude are key elements to accomplishing more and succeeding in a competitive market. If you don’t try this recipe, then you won’t know, will you?

Posted by Sherri Edwards on March 01, 2011 in Career Issues, Goal Setting for Financial Success | Permalink

Job Hunting With The Journal

Job Hunting With The Journal Join Charlotte Business Journal for our free Job Hunting Seminar. You will learn about opportunities to network and develop alliances, and recognize opportunities to meet potential employers.

When: 2011-04-13, 10:00am - 11:30am
Location: 1100 S. Tryon St. Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cost: free

To Register: Click here for more information or call Allen Clark at 704-973-1126 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 704-973-1126



Read more: Business Events Calendar - Charlotte Business Journal

PERSONAL BRANDING AND THE MARKETING OF ME, INC.

The total relationship people have with you gives them a certain perception of you. This perception is your brand. As the CEO of ME, Inc., your brand helps others decide if they want a relationship with you or not.



Here are some of the hallmarks of brands:

· You only get “credit” for what you do consistently.

· The reliability of your behavior establishes your brand.

· Brands are based on actions, not intentions.

· Inconsistency weakens brands and suspends belief.



Remember this important marketing principle: Benefits Always Trump Features. If a new car dealer tells you about 8 cylinder engines, state-of-the-art emission controls, moon roof, and racing stripes, she’s describing the car’s features. However, if she tells you things like, “It will easily save you over 50% on gasoline”, or “the front and rear sensors warn you if you are too close to another vehicle”, she’s describing the car’s benefits to you as the potential owner.



Since you are the CEO of ME, Inc., always try to emphasize how you can solve someone’s problem or save them money rather than going on and on about all the achievements you’ve racked up in your professional career. If people begin to associate you with consistently providing benefits that will become part of your BRAND— and you’ll be remembered for it!



Learn to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Always provide value. Bring something to the table they can’t. Find a niche that shows the world you are someone with unique skills and talents and that you know how to use them!



I'll see you on the radio this and every Sunday morning at 8am (EST) on Your Career Is Calling on 107.7 FM and online on www.1077TheBronc.com. This week our guest is Lloyd George discussing How to Leverage Outplacement Services.



Best wishes and own your career,



Rod Colón
Career Management Consultant, Executive Coach, Speaker, Author
Weekly Co-Host of Radio Show "YOUR CAREER IS CALLING".
732-367-5580

www.RodColon.com



Rod's 7-Step Job Search Video

Listen to “Your Career is Calling” Archives

View Rod Colon ABC-TV Interview Sharing Job Search Tips
Connect with Rod: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
Win the Race the Race for 21st Century Jobs

Subscribe to Rod's blog - Read Rod's latest article

Practice reciprocity without keeping score By Harvey Mackay

When we were growing up, most of us learned to live by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Not "as they do unto you," but "as you would have them do unto you."

As working professionals, there is another manifestation of this rule, the Golden Rule for Networking. It should permeate all your networking efforts. But it goes against every naturally acquisitive, ambitious and self-serving impulse in each of us.

My Golden Rule of Networking is this: Reciprocity without keeping score. Simply stated, it means what can I do for you without expecting anything in return?

Webster's Dictionary says reciprocity is mutual action and mutual exchange. Mutually beneficial to both is the kind of reciprocity that most people are familiar with.

My definition of reciprocity is quite different. You must give without keeping score. No quid pro quo. It's the one fundamental concept that is the most misunderstood in business today. Few people truly understand this. You are either all in or all out.

To be as candid as I can be, there have been plenty of people over the years who said they were going to help me in some way, but they didn't. Maybe they couldn't. Maybe they just forgot. Maybe they never intended to. It doesn't matter. You cannot keep score, or you will lose for sure.

Let me tell you how it works: If we're smart, we surround ourselves with talented people -- the most talented we can find. They are our most powerful asset. That's why I think of this select group as our own personal brain bank. They include our family, friends, mentors, fellow workers and our industry contacts. You never know when you'll need to draw on the "accounts" you create with those oh-so-valuable resources.

With every contact within your brain bank -- every call and every visit -- preferably near the conclusion, sincerely ask the other person what you can do to be helpful to them. Ninety-five percent of the time, people will thank you for asking and tell you that there's really nothing they need. If, however, they do ask you for a favor, then your eyes should light up like the New Year's Ball in Times Square.

As you learn what is being asked for, note every detail with warmth and urgency. Fulfill the request to the best of your ability. As you do it, and after it's done, expect nothing, absolutely nothing, in return. Don't shop for gratitude in your phone calls or e-mails. Do the favor because you like and respect the other person and honestly want to help.

If you manage your career and live your life in this way, two magical things will happen:

1.Over time, people will find ways to do remarkable and unexpected things for you that make your life easier.

2.When you're hit by a storm in full fury, you are likely to find the most astonishing human network of support you could ever imagine.

There are countless ways business people can be helpful to each other:

•Help a colleague prepare for a major presentation. Act as their sounding board.

Help your friend by pointing out what needs to be clearer . . . what needs more emphasis . . . and what seems to drag.

•Be a source for heads-up information. Do it for other business leaders in your community or your industry -- perhaps not direct competitors, but almost everyone else.

•Never abuse confidences and or share inside information. You only have to do this once, and you'll be marked as a security risk for life. Worst of all: You'll never learn what others know about you and why they won't trust you.

•Don't export problems. Sometimes companies try to downsize high-maintenance losers and stick them on another company's payroll. Believe me, if you do that, you will be remembered and for the wrong reasons. When you terminate people who aren't performing, do them the favor of leveling with them and constructively help them readjust their career focus.

Over the years, my networking focus has shifted from the quantity of contacts I maintain to the quality of contacts. The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your relationships. The quality of your business is determined by the quality of your relationships.

Mackay's Moral: If you want to win at networking, don't keep score.

Make a Commitment to Reach Your Career Goals

Too often, people establish career goals the same way they make New Year’s resolutions. The problem with resolutions is that they fade away, are forgotten, and are only a distant memory by February. To actualize your desire for a change, exchange your resolution for a COMMITMENT to action.

Why a commitment and not just a wish?

Achievement of a goal doesn’t happen overnight. Job seekers are confronted with many issues beyond their control—economic conditions, competition, HR, and internal politics for a start. These issues can be very daunting and discouraging. The fact is you can’t reach your goal until you choose to face these challenges head on, with a plan of attack. Making the COMMITMENT to do so is within your control. Your goal becomes more than a “wish”.

Take charge - stay committed!

Don’t rely on your employer, market conditions, or your family obligations to dictate what happens to you (or doesn’t). Make a decision about what you need to do, commit to it, then adjust as events occur. Commitment to your goal and acting on it is more likely to produce the results you want than sitting idly as you wait for things to change.

Make a commitment to reach your goals by first being committed to the process, no matter what.

•Keep yourself in check for things you can control. Recognize that you can make a choice each and every time something comes up that presents itself as a challenge.
•Write out your goals. Make them specific and measurable.
•Proceed through your outline of specific actions that lead to your specific goals.


What kind of resolutions are you planning for the New Year that could more effectively be treated as a goal?

Sherri Edwards

Sherri@resourcemaximizer.com

www.resourcemaximizer.com